Chapter 3: A Sumptuous Breakfast

Lili’s primary job was to take care of the little brats while also keeping them in line. Aside from that, Lili also had cooking and baking to spice out her life. Though it was part of her job, it didn’t feel like one to her. Oh, there was also the book reading part that the headmistress had forced her into.

Lili also loved to be in the kitchen for some odd reason. In the kitchen, she felt close to the flames. The peace and warmth it gave were akin to a caring mother to her. She liked the feeling the flames gave her very much.

She lifted her eyes and gaze at the flickering fiery embers. The warm flames had somewhat provided her the little comfort that she needed. “In the future. No, I’ll make sure that I will meet them again.”

She giggled a little, finding herself silly. Who would talk to warm flames and flickering embers, right?

“Lili. Is the food ready? I’ll wake the little brats now?” The tired voice of the old headmistress echoed through kitchen walls, bouncing straight towards her ears. “We should prepare early. The noble may come earlier.”

“Alright, headmistress! Give me five minutes,” said Lili, quickening her pace as the utensils danced throughout the kitchen. “Please wake them up and get them to wash up a little. I’ll ready the plates.”

“You heard that brats! Your eldest sister Lili had prepared a feast,” the headmistress’s loud voice echoed, followed by rustling sounds.

Soon, the sounds of giggling children roamed throughout the halls. It came from the second floor. The little ones raced against one another to take the nearest seat. After all, the nearer you were, the bigger your portion might be. Just like the adage had said, ‘the early bird gets the worm.’

Lili smiled after hearing the noisy kids. She returned to work and flipped the clay oven, letting the warm flames calm down for a moment. He looked inside and found the bread ready enough. She opened the oven totally as the scent of the newly baked bread wafted in the entire kitchen. Her stomach grumbled soon after. She cut a small piece and tasted it. Then she smacked her lips. “It’s perfect!”

She took an old thick cloth and used it to pull the bread out of the tongues of flame, carefully putting it on the wide table to cool down. The scent of the bread spoke volumes of how the taste of her masterpiece would be. It would be a delicacy.

Now everything was ready for breakfast.

***

The breakfast began with a simple thanks to the goddess of agriculture, to the king, and to the great noble who had graced them with the money to buy nutritious food. In times of wars and chaos, only those with powers could eat and be merry.

Boisterous chatters started as soon as the quick prayer ended. The little kids eyeballed the sumptuous breakfast with shining eyes. The little ones immediately picked up their spoon, scooping out a mouthful of the piping hot soup. A few light blows to cool it down, and it dived straight into their mouths. Today’s meal was lavish–salt and even a few chewy portions of rare meat deep in the bowl. The soup was also thick and had a lot of vegetables inside. The taste of potatoes, carrots, garlic, onions, and a few more spices had intermixed in their mouth. A wide grin filled their faces with every slurp, warming their stomach. Some kids even licked down their already empty bowls before burping in satisfaction.

Not everyone was glad.

Betha, Aldis, and Nicol hadn't touched their soups, nor the big slice of bread laying on their plate. Anxiousness not food had filled them instead. After all, they were about to move out to help in the great noble's business. None of the old orphans had returned, not even a letter of how they were. Aside from the assurance that they were fine by the great noble and his men, they heard nothing about them at all.

Sensing the mood, Lili stood behind the trio and said, "You don't like my cooking? If so, give it to me. The little ones are still hungry. I even made it extra special for today."

The trio gazed at their big sister, their two hands holding their plate in place. Looking at each other, the trio could only show a wry smile. "We'll eat Lili now."

Scooping out their warm soup, the trio ate their special meal. Their eyes suddenly glittered as they licked their lips. It tasted marvelous. Not bland at all, like the usual. Betha raised her head with shining eyes, gazing at Lili. “This is really tasty big sis.”

“I know right,” said Lili, a mirth dancing on her lips. She glanced at the other two, who were wolfing their food in wild abandon. She walked behind the trio, ruffling their hairs one by one, lightening their dark faces. “I made it extra special for you brats.”

The trio nodded and continued to eat.

Sensing the mood turning for the better, Lili smiled, adding a few words. “Eat more. If anyone of you makes it big in the lands of the great noble. Bring your other older brothers and sisters along. Oh, don’t forget the gifts for this big sis of yours alright!”

“I’ll definitely make it big there, big sis!” The blond boy called Aldis giggled. I could do a lot of jobs. “I’ll save money bring you guys there.”

“Learn to read and computing numbers better first,” snapped a black-haired youth called Nicol. “I heard you failed the last exam given by the teacher. The good noble’s money is wasted on you.”

“You!” The blond lad raised his fist, only to put it down after seeing the headmistress’s eyebrows meeting halfway. He immediately deflated and fell back into his seat.

“Stop that. You better do all your best. Don’t shame me and the headmistress okay?” Lili said. She sighed and gazed at the trio. She doesn’t know how long would it take for them to meet again. But she wished it would be soon. “Look for you elder brothers and sisters working for the noble. They might help you, okay?”

“Yes!” The trio nodded.

The breakfast ended with a pleasant tune. The little kids skittered away as the teachers hired by the noble soon came. The teachers brought them into the classroom to start their studies for the day. As for the three who will leave with the noble today, they were already picking up their things, making sure they were clean and presentable.

Soon enough, sounds of neighing steeds and crackling carriage wheels echoed outside the door of the orphanage. It invited the gaze of all the people. After seeing the noble crest and the guards following it, the small crowd immediately scattered away.

The noble had arrived.